Ernie the flying dog from Columbia Heights was introduced to PoPville exactly a week ago in an ‘afternoon animal fix’. In the week that has passed a massive grassroots organization has emerged encouraging me to feature Ernie in his own series. In this case, the will of the people shall not be denied.
Stay tuned for more Adventures of Ernie the Flying Dog next month.
Couple more shots after the jump. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love
“Dear PoP,
I have a public health / pet question for the blog: Is it legal to let your dog go to the bathroom in the middle of the sidewalk? I saw a woman letting her pup poop on the sidewalk on 15th St NW, as if that were perfectly normal. There were plenty of available tree boxes nearby. If it’s not illegal, it’s certainly disgusting and unsanitary… it’s bad enough to track dirt back into your home, but that?! Just wondering whether there were something I could say to her (e.g. “You know, that’s illegal”) to discourage her from allowing it again.”
I guess we’re looking at two issues here – first is it legal? I gotta think as long as the owner cleans it up it is legal, right? Second – if it is legal, should it be legal?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist
“Dear PoP,
I have a rather sad request – how can I surrender my cat to a shelter in DC? I took in a friend’s cat temporarily, as they were moving a few hundred miles and couldn’t yet bring the cat out. Well, they ended up turning around and moving back to DC in about a week’s time, and have since refused to take back the cat. I tolerate the cat, but my roommate (rightfully so) hates her; the cat is sweet to us, but she is aggressive to strangers, making it difficult to have friends over. After several months of trying to “work it out” through behavior modification and positive reinforcement, this weekend was the final straw, and I’ve been given an ultimatum to either lose the cat or move out. The original owner is still steadfastly refusing to take back the cat (saying it’s “my problem now”). I would drop her on his doorstep, but in the past he’s threatened to set her loose on the streets, and I couldn’t bear to have her become homeless.
So that brings me to my question: where can I surrender this cat in DC? It appears that some of the well known agencies (WARL, Wash Humane) don’t accept surrenders. (And before the Peanut Gallery rips me apart for wanting to give her up, I want to say that while I do like this cat, I can’t afford to break my lease/lose my roommate, and I am moving to the west coast in six months!) Thank you”
This is a very sad situation – anyone who takes in cats?
I’m not sure if this guy is MPD, animal control or metro transit police but whoever he is, he definitely deserves props. [Update: I’m now told this is Animal Control Officer Shawn Covington of the Washington Humane Society] This was the scene outside of the Woodley Park metro around 3pm Sat. afternoon. I got there just while this was going down but apparently a pet bird got loose and flew into the tree. Without hesitation this awesome cop climbed the tree in like 2 seconds. He was trying to coax the bird onto a stick and then his finger but ultimately the bird flew onto his back and the cop just climbed down. The owner was obviously super grateful. So props to this cop for going above and beyond.
But the lesson I’m gonna take away from this incident – when sight seeing it might be a good idea to leave your pet bird at home.
More photos including the conclusion after the jump. (more…)
“SASSAFRAS”BEAGLE/JACK RUSSELL
Washington, DC, DC 20009. Sassy was lost during a walk. She has been seen on 17th and T St, NW heading north.
Right eye is partially blue.
Please call us or City Dogs (202)234-9247!
We love her and want her home!
She receives 1ml potassium bromide x2 a
day to control seizures.
Epilepsy.
If Found, Please Call 1-888-466-3242
MICROCHIP #
985121008156859 985121008156859 985121008156859 985121008156859
Dolce
“Dear PoP,
Dolce was the most kind dog i have ever meet in my life. she got kill by a big dog tuesday @ the dog park in 17TH ST n Q ST in Dupont around 5pm. all the dog were having a good time when out of nowhere 2 big dogs came n run over her breaking her spin. my best friend was walking her. when she saw she wasn’t getting up my friend run to her n people gather around her n help her call the vet in 14th and S st. we took her there n had to put her to sleep. she left this world wrap in a towel laying in my lap. i have never seen any1 or anything die. thats the worst feeling in life. dont wish that to anyone.
what i learn from this is that small dog park like the 1 in 17th n Q st should only b for small dogs, n if u have a big dog be respectful of others people with small one n take responsibility for their actions.
the owners of the dogs never help my friend n we dont know what happen to them since my friend went in to panic mode n doesnt remember of the people around her.
i still thing she is coming back.
thank for reading this and it would help alot if u put her pic in her memory”
Ed. Note: This is obviously a very sensitive and sad situation so please be respectful and keep in mind that someone’s dog has just died. Also, obviously English is not the first language of this reader so please save grammatical suggestions for another time.
I know that the Shaw dog park at 11th and R St, NW has a separate area for small dogs. Do you guys know of other parks that have separate areas for small dogs?
They also have a very clear set of rules.
My sympathy to the reader at the loss of Dolce. If you and your pet use a dog park please be careful and mindful of your pet.
Just got the word via twitter that Mr. Larry’s Pet Supply Store opens Saturday at 3301 11th St, NW (near Room 11).
If anyone checks them out be sure to shoot me an email and let me know what you think.
And they’ll have a groomer:
Photo by PoPville flickr user jsmjr
The Kingsman Dog Park is located at 14th Street and Tennessee Avenue, NE.
From Hill Hounds:
Kingsman Dog Park will open to the public at 5:00 pm this Friday, March 25th. To celebrate, please join us for an informal get-together from 5-7 pm at the new park. We invite everyone to come by, take a look around, play a little fetch and make some new friends from the neighborhood. Members of the Hill Hounds Steering Committee will be there to answer questions about the park and to hand out free treats to your very patient pooches.
The park will be open until 10:00 pm on Friday. Starting on Saturday, March 26th, the park will be open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm every day of the year.
Danny Harris is a DC-based photographer, DJ, and collector of stories. He launched People’s District, a blog that tells a people’s history of DC by sharing the stories and images of its residents. You can follow People’s District on Twitter @PeoplesDistrict, and can read his previous columns here.
“Like many people, I came here because of the federal government. I am from San Diego, and moved here ten years ago to work as an auditor for the Department of Labor. The city really is everything I thought it would be. It’s eclectic, full of history, and there is lots to do. I wasn’t sure how long I would stay when I first got here, but this place is definitely home now.
“I think that a big part of why it feels like home is because I bought a house a couple of months back and I also got Maggie, my baby girl. I never had a dog before, but always wanted a miniature dachshund. Maggie is even better than I could have ever imagined! I come home from work and it is so nice to have a warm body waiting for me who is always happy. And, she’s even come to take on my personality. She is very laid back….and she doesn’t bark!
“I see how much different things are for me now that I have a dog. Day-to-day, we, as citizens, don’t really speak to each other much. Having Maggie changes that for me. A dog invites people to engage and say, ‘hi’. People always stop me to ask my dog’s name and if they can pet her. Before Maggie, I fell into the category of keeping my head down and handing my business. I didn’t really talk to strangers if I had no reason. Now, that I have a dog, I find that I am more open to conversation. I notice dogs and people more, and am always inquiring about different tips and treats, and a plethora of other topics.
Continues after the jump. (more…)
“Dear PoP,
I’m writing this to hopefully educate some young or inexperienced dog owners. On Saturday, I was having breakfast at The Diner in Adams Morgan. When my partner and I arrived, a beautiful lab mix was tied up outside the restaurant looking very anxiously at the door and barking at everyone coming and going. We were seated at a window table, so we had the pleasure of watching this dog suffer great anxiety during the entire 45 minutes we were seated. In addition, numerous families with small children were letting the kids touch, hug, grab, etc., the dog in a variety of manners. The dog was sweet (luckily) but all the attention was making it more anxious. I finally left the restaurant and went outside to sit with the dog to calm it down while my partner settled the check. I noticed there was a phone number on the dog’s tags, so I called the number to let the owner know that the dog was having a hard time. Needless to say, the woman who answered the phone was clearly irritated by my call and the subsequent lecture I laid on her about leaving her dog unattended when she came outside. Although she wouldn’t look me in the eye, I could tell that she was very upset. She had her young baby with her, and I thought to myself – I bet she wouldn’t leave the baby unattended outside. To her credit, that dog looked to be incredibly well cared for and loved, so she is definitely not a generally negligent dog person. But the attached picture taken while I was still sitting inside shows that the dog was very upset.
My point is this: Dogs cannot fend for themselves, and do not understand when a person disappears inside a building for long periods of time. They worry. They get scared and nervous. And they are vulnerable to the behavior of random people passing by, including the possibility of being stolen. Please don’t leave your dog tied up outside unattended. Doing so is just asking for trouble and, in most cases, doing so causes anxiety for the dog. Take the dog for a nice long walk, take her home, and THEN go out to your favorite place for a beer or lunch. You’ll do your dog and the people who care about dogs a great favor.
One more thing – my appologies to the woman who I lectured about this. I know it was uncomfortable and probably embarrassing, and I wish I had handled the situation a little more diplomatically.”